Cornelia M van der Linde. 2003. A survey of land cultivation methods and crops grown by small-scale farmers in Soshanguve

Small-scale farming practices represent the largest group of active farmers in South Africa and are an important means to ensure food self-sufficiency. A survey with structured interviews was done on cultivation technologies and preferred crops grown by 50 active small-scale farmers living in an informal settlement in Soshanguve. Cultivation was done with small appliances like spades, forks, shovels and picks. Crops were irrigated with hosepipes, furrow flooding, carrying water in buckets and pails and two respondents used sprinkler systems. A large variety of vegetables and fruit trees were cultivated. Seed harvesting was done by most of the respondents. A small number of respondents sold some produce. Reasons inter alia were lack of money to buy seeds; rats ruining crops; little knowledge about the use of fertilizers or pesticides. Academia should become involved in community outreach programmes, develop information brochures on soil fertility, transfer of appropriate technology and harness indigenous knowledge to develop a network and support groups to secure food production at household level. Knowledge about the correct use of fertilizers and pesticides has implications for sustainable environmental management.